Obeagu Town in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State came alive on Sunday, August 31st, 2025, as the people celebrated their annual New Yam Festival (Iri-ji Ohuru) in grand style — a vibrant cultural spectacle that brought together indigenes, leaders, and well-wishers from near and far.

The Igwebuike Primary School field, which served as the festival ground, was transformed into a colorful arena of tradition, unity, and thanksgiving, as the eight communities that make up Obeagu Town — Uhueze, Eziama, Amuoji, Enugwunaogwuokpara, Ebenebe, Ogwuagbom, Amaegu, and Obuo — converged to honor the age-old Igbo tradition that celebrates agricultural abundance and spiritual gratitude.

The festival commenced with an opening prayer by Rev. Fr. Basil Ezike, followed by the traditional breaking of kola nuts by Mr. Ejimofor Gerald O. from Uhueze and the symbolic cutting of roasted yams, signifying the community’s approval to consume the new harvest.

In his address, High Chief Anthony Orjiude Nwafor, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and President of Obeagu Town Union, underscored the significance of the celebration, describing yam as “not just a staple food but a symbol of prosperity, life, and continuity.”

Similarly, the chairman of the occasion, Ogbuefi Christopher Obumneme Chukwu, emphasized the festival’s deeper meaning beyond agriculture:

“This celebration is our bridge to our ancestors and our heritage. It reminds us of who we are, unites us as a people, and sustains the rich tapestry of Obeagu’s cultural identity.”

Other community leaders, including Chief Damian Chukwuogba (Cabinet Chief), Chief Okeke Anderson Obiora (Planning Committee Chairman), Rt. Hon. Mrs. Roseline Ude, Ogbuefi Ezeugonna, Engr. Benjamin Kenechukwu, Ogbuefi Abel Ikemefuna, and Ogbuefi Orjiogbu Calistus Okechukwu, also commended the festival’s enduring relevance. They noted that no new yam may be eaten in Obeagu until the ritual is performed, underscoring the ceremony’s spiritual and cultural authority.

The day was filled with colorful masquerade displays, traditional dances, and musical performances, symbolizing the living connection between the people, their ancestors, and their land. Men, women, children, and elders participated actively, demonstrating an intergenerational commitment to cultural preservation.

More than just a celebration, the Iri-ji Ohuru represents Obeagu’s thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest and a reaffirmation of unity, identity, and continuity. It serves as a bridge between the past and present, showing how traditional practices remain relevant in contemporary society.

As the festival came to a close, the community departed with a renewed sense of pride, solidarity, and hope for continued growth, peace, and agricultural prosperity.